Earl of Lucan

Sarsfield, originally from Herefordshire, settled in
Ireland not long after the Anglo Norman conquest, at
Sarsfieldstown in County Meath.

While some of
Patrick Sarsfield's feats have become household legends,
very little is known about his youth. Even his date of birth
is uncertain, but it is possible that he was born at Lucan
before the family's ejection in 1649. He was educated in
France and spent much time in London where he was involved
in some " affairs of honour "

Sarsfield's
Cottage

I am grateful to Joe
Guilfoyle for kindly sending me this photograph of a
painting of the cottage located in Lucan Demense, known as
Sarsfields Cottage.

Joe's father lived here
in the thirties and Joe recalls his last visit during the
fifties, when only the tiled floor of the conservatory
remained.

Sarsfield first saw service
in 1691 under Monmouth against the French. He entered
Dongans regiment in 1678. During the last years of the reign
of CharlesII, he served with English regiments attached to
the army of Louis XIV. On the accession of James II, to whom
Sarsfield showed unswerving loyalty, throughout his military
career, he returned to England, where he took part in many
battles. At Sedgemoor, in 1685, he was wounded, but was also
promoted to Colonel. When James was deposed in 1688, he
sailed for France, and Sarsfield went with him. They
returned to Ireland in 1689.

Under James, Sarsfield took
part in several Irish battles but his most notable feat was
at Limerick. Defending the city against William of Orange,
Sarsfield sneaked out at night and blew up the siege train
at Ballyneety, thus depriving William of his guns,
ammunition and stores. On this occasion William failed at
Limerick.

Following Limerick, more
battles took place where the Jacobites were aided by French
soldiers. However, following defeats, the Irish retreated to
Limerick once again. This time the siege lasted for a
month.There appeared to be no hope of receiving further
French aid and to add to his problems, Sarsfield discovered
that his youthful companion and near neighbour at Lucan -
Henry Luttrel - was with his infamous friend Captain
Clifford, carrying out secret negotiations with the enemy to
betray the city and their comrades.

There followed the Treaty of
Limerick and the subsequent departure to France of a large
number of the Irish army including Patrick Sarsfield. They
set sail from Limerick on 22nd December 1691 on French
ships, which had arrived too late to help in the siege.

Sarsfield was given a
commission of Marshal de Camp (Lieutenant General) by Louis
XIV. He and much of the Irish army fought bravely in the
service of the French King in Flanders against the same
Dutch and English armies. He was wounded at the Battle of
Landen, on 19th August 1693, and died some three days later
at Huy. Sarsfield was survived by his son James, and by his
mother and two widowed sisters who were living in France at
the time.

Sarsfield was created Baron
of Rosberry and Viscount of Tully by James II, and in 1690,
he was made Earl of Lucan. He was described as "tall
and handsome". In the words of O'Callaghan the
historian - "His character may be comprehended in the
words of simplicity, disinterestedness, honour, loyalty and
bravery". The title Earl of Lucan died with James
Sarsfield in 1718.